By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-20 18:41:39 | Updated at 2024-12-20 22:04:55
3 hours ago
A children's hospital nurse Shantel Gillespie, 30, was found dead in her luxury Boston apartment just days after earning her degree.
The mother-of-three had just graduated from Labouré College of Healthcare in Milton, Massachusetts, when she was found dead two days later on December 12.
The Boston Police Department is treating her death as a potential homicide.
'While we are still awaiting a cause and manner of death determination from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, we have reason to believe that Ms. Gillespie's death is a homicide,' the department said in a statement.
Officers responded to 390 Harrison Ave. for a wellness check around 7 p.m. that evening. The address is home to The Harris, a luxury apartment complex located near the SoWa Open Market in Boston’s South End.
Shantel's sister, Shanakay Gillespie, created GoFundMe to honor her memory and seek justice. The fundraiser claims Shantel was a victim of domestic violence.
'My sister had 1 goal in life: to make a better life for herself so her children would grow up wanting of nothing,' her sister wrote.
'From long work hours, to classes and clinical, to coming home to nurture three children.
Beloved Children's Hospital nurse Shantel Gillespie, 30, was found dead in her luxury apartment
Officers responded to 390 Harrison Ave. for a wellness check around 7 p.m. on the evening of December 12
'Over all the years she worked tirelessly to have a successful future while battling to break the cycle of domestic violence.'
The fundraiser has received more than $44,000 from over 650 donors as of Friday afternoon.
The donations will help transport Shantel's body back to Jamaica, support her three young children, and contribute to the pursuit of justice.
Born and raised in Mandeville, Shantel immigrated to the United States in 2014.
For the past five years, she worked as a clinical assistant at Boston Children's Hospital while striving to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.
Labouré College mourned the loss of Shantel in a social media post: 'The Labouré community is devastated by the loss of Shantel Gillespie. Shantel completed the nursing degree program last week and was preparing for her Pinning Ceremony in January.'
Reflecting on her sister's achievements, Shanakay wrote, 'My sister had one goal in life: to make a better life for herself so her children would grow up wanting for nothing. Over the years, she worked tirelessly to achieve that.'
Shanakay also shared the bittersweet memory of celebrating Shantel's recent accomplishment.
The Boston Police Department is treating her death as a potential homicide
The mother of three had just finished her degree at Labouré College of Healthcare but was found dead two days later
'We cried tears of joy together celebrating a victory well deserved. Today, we cry tears of sorrow at such a tragedy. She never received her degree, never walked the stage, and never got to say goodbye to her children. Her bright future was stolen far too soon.'
The investigation into Shantel Gillespie’s death is ongoing.
Police have not yet announced any suspects or arrests.
